The Supreme Court, hearing a case on Delhi-NCR’s severe air pollution, remarks on the worsening conditions as a hearing begins in the national capital region. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant opens proceedings and makes a pointed comment on “Delhi weather,” with senior advocate Aparajita Singh responding about the harm caused by the air quality. Outlets report Singh describes breathing the region’s polluted air as comparable to smoking heavily, and the court references the need to understand major contributors.
During the hearing, the court focuses on the role of stubble burning, while also questioning whether concentrating only on farm fires is enough. Singh is reported to say farm fires account for about 14% of Delhi’s pollution on recent days, and the bench discusses how crop residue procurement and local governance could reduce burning. The court also considers other drivers, including traffic congestion, vehicular emissions, and waste burning in the region.
